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Thursday, July 21, 2011

So...About That Kitten Thing...

I kept waiting for someone to ask why I refer to you as "kittens" but, alas, nobody has. I am certainly one for the theory that, as the brilliant Carrie Fisher once wrote, "Instant gratification takes too long." Therefore, I'm going to tell you, anyway. I am a cat lover. The only pets I have ever had (aside from a random fish or hermit crab, sadly, never long for this world in my care), have been cats. We got our first when I was 12, an orange tabby that we, oh so creatively, named Garfield.

We lost him, under awful circumstances, when I was 18 and for many years after, we never had another cat. Then, when I went through what was, at the time, my worst life experience, the break up of my engagement and first relationship EVER, I spiraled into a depression that was especially deep for me (and considering that I am at a baseline level of depression every day, this was bad). At that point in time, I KNEW I needed an animal in my life again and decided on April 4, Easter Sunday, of 1999 that come hell or high water, I was going to find my new best friend that very day and I did. Through a series of challenging circumstances, that was the day I met the next love of my life, a furry gray, black and white tabby I named Spencer.

Sydney joined my family in December of 2004 and what a difference 5 years make. By that point, my husband (yeah, can you believe it) and I had re-located to Florida and Spencer was remaining in New York with my mom for the time being. We drove, three of us (hubby, Mom and I) in a completely packed Toyota Camry from New York to Florida and thought it best not to subject my sweet and very sensitive Spencer to two days in the car. Mom was planning to fly down in March for a visit and we thought it best that Spencer fly down with her. But, in the meantime, I was longing for furry love. Thus, we went over to the Humane Society and Sydney chose us. My hubby was actually leaning more towards a sweet and very loving female cat but me being me, even though I was DESPERATE for a "lap cat" (which I had never had), I said no, we had to take the rambunctious orange tabby (that I suppose, even then, reminded me of my Garfield). Don't get me wrong, Sydney is TOTALLY his own man. Curious and frisky (not unlike his namesake, Sydney Bristow, Jennifer Garner's Alias character) but the more time I know him, the more I see similarities to his long lost big brother.

But I digress (do I ever). Back to the "kitten" thing.

As I said, I love cats. But "Kari's Cats" would have been a partial fail, alliteration-wise. Sure, it would have SOUNDED fine but it wouldn't have LOOKED nearly as cute as "Kari's Kittens" and, for a change, I wanted my ego to rule the day. However, it also works on other levels. Kittens are adorable, let's face it. Even those who are not "cat people" (do such people REALLY exist), like kittens. Kittens are adorable, playful, frisky, open to new experiences and constantly learning. I guess that sort of fits how I see us, all passengers on this journey through polish, having fun and learning from each other. So, please know that when I refer to you as "kittens", these are the sorts of things I have in mind. Without you, this blog wouldn't mean a whole heck of a lot. Would I continue to write it? Probably. Its been a great cathartic release for me and brings me great joy. To be perfectly honest, I would likely continue to write it even if nobody read it but me. But does it matter that you DO read it? More than you can possibly know. As a "kid with issues", perhaps most-deeply ingrained being the idea that "nobody likes me", having you wonderful people actually give a damn what I have to say, for whatever reason, is one of the greatest affirmations I have ever received. It matters, YOU matter, a great deal and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for embarking on, continuing with and, hopefully, enjoying the hell out of the journey we are taking together. Meow, kittens. xoxo

What a delightful post! I became a "cat person" 3 years ago after a litter of kittens was born in my mom's garage. I'm now the proud mother of one of the three kittens AND the mother cat (who was a stray on the streets). I can't imagine not having these two in my life. I'm single and don't have children, so it can get lonely at times. However, my little fur-babies sure do keep me company and make being single very "bearable"! Your babies are adorable and are so lucky to have such a loving mama! Thanks for sharing your beautiful story!One of your many kittens,Katie

i ove cats!!! i have 3!! i had my first cat when i was like 7 and i called him Tom because of Tom&Jerry lol but then i moved and i think one of my neighbor didnt like cats and my omo found him dead and of course i didnt knew until i was like 13 :P i thought he got lost, and when i was like 14 Obama came(and yeah, he's black, but im not racist it was becuase we didnt know what name to choose and Barack Obama was notice at that time because he is the 1st blach president) and then like 3 mothns later a little kitty come home i we her name is Lucy and she had kittys and we keep one, he born 09/09/2009 so his name is noa and thats it! and i dont know why i told you all the story of my cats :P but yeah, I love cats! if i could i'll have more cats :) they are so cute!!

Thank you for sharing this story! I'm a huge cat lover myself. My parents had cats before I was even born and I grew up feeling like they were my siblings and, sometimes, my only friends. When I was seven I got my own cat (he'd been left in a box in front of a vet's office and he was huge and frightened and, though only three months old, looked like a grown cat and nobody wanted him). I love my furry baby very dearly, even though he's really not a baby anymore. The other cat we have is now 21 years old and he's deaf and partially blind, but still gives me all the comfort most humans were never able to provide. Cats are special. They understand us in ways humans simply can't.

Thank you for sharing your story. I have had some great cats in my life and currently have 5. My baby Zoey was with me for 10 years and it broke my heart when she was diagnosed with renal failure. However, my current cat Booger reminds me of her in so many ways that it brings joy to my heart. I may have a few too many pets in others' eyes but they needed homes and I had one to give. They also bring me smiles when I'm sad because I suffer from depression, bipolar, anxiety and who knows what else. (hugs)